Fashion Statement

On Sunday August 30, 2015, the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) aired. During the pre-show, various celebrities were seen showing off their chosen outfits by designer labels galore. Per usual, the scene was full of sparkly and sheer fabrics, barely-there coverage, plunging necklines, in-your-face-cleavage, ripped jeans, and leather jackets. I’m sure many of you have heard the phrase, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Well, this picture says a thousand and then some...

The photo above shows model/actress/fashion designer Amber Rose and hip hop model, Blac Chyna on the red carpet. “Golddigger”, “stripper”, “bitch”, “whore”, and “slut” are repeatedly stated across the two women’s outfits in bright highlighter colors. Two other people are dressed in similar black outfits with the word “faggot” all over them in white. Apparently, the idea was to bring to light the particular insults the two women receive via social media and take a stand against their haters. Blac Chyna (pictured on the right) explained, “We’re basically wanting to just paint a picture of what people say about us already. We’re just trying to embrace it.” Per Amber Rose’s Twitter, she is a self-proclaimed feminist. If a feminist is advocating for equal social, political, and economic rights for men and women, should they “embrace” being called a “bitch” or a “slut”; very words used to degrade and hurt women? Hmmm…

What are your thoughts?

Do you think these women and anyone else who receives hateful/hurtful insults on social media need to “embrace it”?

Do you think words like “bitch” or “slut” are tied to gender inequality?

Do you think any of these words could be considered negative gender roles?